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Re: 35th America's Cup Gossip

In that case, it looks as if the American's may be in trouble, unless they choose the XBox as the format.

If they want to make it affordable to compete in the America's Cup, they maybe theyshould choose r/c yachts. Every country that I can think of has excellent builders and winning designs. For $150 million (euros, dollars, etc.) you could built an army of boats for an army of skippers, and pick from the best, not to mention giving the r/c yacht hobby/business a big boost

Like with the Olympics, you can train tirelessly for several years, and perfect your technique, so putting together a winning team of Americans should not be so tough, if you can afford it and organize it. Would you give up several years of your life to train for the America's Cup to defend it for fun and/or your country?

Personally, I don't see why people consider the Kiwis so great. Maybe they have MORE experienced sailors per capita or at any age, but the U.S. is known for a level of competitive spirit that is equaled by none. In fact, there have been some come-back stories in American sports that are on-par with what OTUSA did recently, just not in yacht racing.

Re: 35th America's Cup Gossip

I would put Morelli (Gino) and Melvin (Pete) at the top of the multihull design/engineering world. While Nigel Irens might be second, M&M just have put together too many winning designs. A List of their most recent efforts.....

Re: 35th America's Cup Gossip

Last month, Oatley announced Murray would be CEO of Team Australia.

I wonder who they will get to replace him as the regatta director.

So far, it looks like the next AC may be about as 'different as the last one; SF may try to capitalize on the success of the last one with more waterfront building or improvements, or just make a lot of money of it. Plus there will be a new (different) regatta director.

Re: 35th America's Cup Gossip

This is weird...

On AC.com, there is a story about OTUSA training with Team Australia?? Team Australia is supposed to be the Challenger... I don't see anything wrong with it at the current time, and the photo in the story is the Oracle AC45 boat with the big 4 on the jib...

Larry Ellison eyeing Honolulu for '17 America's Cup

would be half way between SF and Hamilton Island

"To race an AC72 in San Francisco cost the teams at least $100 million," Ellison said. "To race an AC45 all over the world in 2015 and 2016 plus an AC60 in 2017 will cost each team as little as $30 million, all in."

This time, the AC45 racing would be more than a pretty preseason show leading up to the America's Cup. Each AC45 race would determine whether you qualify for the division championship in AC60s in 2017.

"So the next America's Cup actually begins with the AC45 racing in 2015," Ellison said. "Every race is important - just like Formula One."

He added, "We plan to have AC45 races in every country where we have a team: Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; Shanghai, China; Venice, Italy - 12 cities in 12 different countries. The TV coverage should be stunning. Look at the AC45 regatta we held in Venice a couple of years ago. It was beautiful."